Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 33 “Joseph Saves Israel”
Featured Passage: Genesis 37-50
Jacob had twelve sons, but Joseph was his favorite. Seeing the special treatment he received from his father, Joseph’s older brothers became very jealous of him. They were also annoyed that Joseph would tell their father what they were doing, and would bother them by talking about his crazy dreams. One day, when they saw him coming, they decided to get rid of him for good and sold him to some traders as a slave. They thought they would never have to see or hear from him again. How wrong they were! Joseph ended up being taken down to Egypt and sold to an officer of Pharaoh named Potiphar. This was only the beginning of Joseph’s adventures, and as time went by, God began to work out his special purpose for Joseph. Little did his brothers know that Joseph’s dreams were about to be fulfilled in a way they would never have imagined.
Discuss:
- God was with Joseph throughout his trials. How do you think Joseph was able to stay close to God even when things got tough?
- What was the important position that Joseph had in Egypt under Pharaoh?
- God used Joseph to save many people in the area from starvation, including the Israelites and the Egyptians. What was Joseph’s plan to make sure that the people didn’t go hungry during the seven years of famine?
- Jacob blessed each of his sons near the end of his life. Joseph, who was the firstborn son of Rachel, was given a double portion and Ephraim and Manasseh (Joseph’s sons) were given an inheritance with Israel’s sons.
Memory Challenge:
Genesis 45:8
“So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”
